Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A system for providing a resident of a controlled-environment facility with messaging-initiated interaction sessions, the system comprising: a messaging system configured to: record a message for the resident, wherein the message is recorded by a non-resident; a resident communications system configured to: receive a request for use of a resident device by the resident; authorize exclusive use of the resident device by the resident for a first time duration; notify the resident of the message from the non-resident; present the message to the resident via the resident device; and determine an approval for an immediate interactive session between the resident and the non-resident; and issue a request for the approved immediate interactive session to the non-resident indicating current availability of the resident for the interactive session until the expiration of the first time duration of the resident's authorized exclusive use of the resident device, wherein the request for the immediate interactive session comprises an option for the non-resident to delay accepting the request for the interactive session for an amount of time selected by the non-resident within a first delay interval and to retry the request when the selected amount of time elapses.
This invention relates to a system for enabling messaging-initiated interaction sessions between residents of controlled-environment facilities (e.g., prisons) and non-residents. The system addresses the challenge of facilitating secure, on-demand communication while managing limited access to resident devices. The system includes a messaging system that records and stores messages from non-residents for residents. A resident communications system manages device access and session initiation. When a resident requests use of a resident device, the system authorizes exclusive access for a defined duration. The resident is then notified of pending messages, which are displayed on the device. If the resident approves an immediate interactive session (e.g., video or voice call), the system sends a request to the non-resident, indicating the resident’s availability until the authorized duration expires. The request includes an option for the non-resident to delay acceptance within a predefined delay interval, allowing them to retry the session later if desired. This ensures flexibility while maintaining control over device usage and session timing. The system prioritizes secure, scheduled interactions while accommodating real-time communication needs.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein an availability of the non-resident for the approved interactive session is determined by interfacing with a non-resident software application installed on a personal device of the non-resident, wherein the non-resident software application allows the non-resident to participate in interactive sessions hosted by the resident communications system.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the non-resident software application is configured to detect whether the non-resident is currently using the personal device.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the approval is determined based on whether the resident is allowed to participate in interactive sessions with the non-resident.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a monitoring system configured to monitor interactive sessions, wherein determining the availability of the non-resident for the interactive session comprises determining whether the monitoring system has capacity for monitoring the interactive session between the resident and the non-resident.
This invention relates to a system for managing interactive sessions between a resident and a non-resident, addressing the challenge of ensuring efficient and reliable communication while monitoring session activity. The system includes a monitoring system that tracks interactive sessions to determine the availability of the non-resident for participation. The monitoring system evaluates whether it has sufficient capacity to monitor the session between the resident and the non-resident, ensuring that resources are allocated appropriately. This helps prevent overloading the monitoring system and maintains the quality of session oversight. The system may also include a session management module that initiates, terminates, or adjusts sessions based on availability and monitoring capacity. Additionally, a notification system may alert participants or administrators when monitoring capacity is insufficient, allowing for proactive adjustments. The invention ensures that interactive sessions are conducted smoothly while maintaining the ability to monitor interactions effectively.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first delay interval is prior to the expiration of the first time duration of the resident's authorized exclusive use of the resident device.
7. A method for providing a resident of a controlled-environment facility with messaging-initiated interactive sessions, the method comprising: creating a message for the resident, wherein the message is created by a non-resident for the resident; receiving a request for use of a resident device by the resident; authorizing exclusive use of the resident device by the resident; notifying the resident of the message from the non-resident; presenting the message to the resident via the resident device; determining an approval for an immediate interactive session between the resident and the non-resident; and issuing a request to the non-resident for the approved immediate interactive session indicating current availability of the resident for the interactive session until the expiration of the first time duration of the resident's authorized exclusive use of the resident device, wherein the request for the immediate interactive session comprises an option for the non-resident to delay accepting the request for the interactive session for an amount of time selected by the non-resident within a first delay interval and to retry the request when the selected amount of time elapses.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein an availability of the non-resident for the interactive session is determined by interfacing with a non-resident software application installed on a personal device of the non-resident, wherein the non-resident software application allows the non-resident to participate in interactive sessions hosted by the resident communications system.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the non-resident software application is configured to detect whether the non-resident is currently using the personal device.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the approval is determined based on whether the resident is allowed to participate in interactive sessions with the non-resident.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein determining the availability of the non-resident for the interactive session comprising determining whether a monitoring system has capacity for monitoring the interactive session between the resident and the non-resident.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first delay interval is prior to the expiration of the first time duration of the resident's authorized exclusive use of the resident device.
13. A computer-readable storage device having program instructions stored thereon for providing a resident of a controlled-environment facility with interactive services, upon execution by one or more processors, the program instructions cause the one or more processors to: present a message for the resident, wherein the message is created by a non-resident for the resident; receive a request for use of a resident device by the resident; authorize exclusive use of the resident device by the resident; notify the resident of the message from the non-resident; present the message to the resident via the resident device; determine an approval for an immediate interactive session between the resident and the non-resident; and issue a request to the non-resident for the approved immediate interactive session with the resident, wherein the request indicates current availability of the resident for the interactive session until the expiration of the first time duration of the resident's authorized exclusive use of the resident device, wherein the request for the immediate interactive session comprises an option for the non-resident to delay accepting the request for the interactive session for an amount of time selected by the non-resident within a first delay interval and to retry the request when the selected amount of time elapses.
14. The computer-readable storage device of claim 13 , wherein an availability of the non-resident for the interactive session is determined by interfacing with a non-resident software application installed on a personal device of the non-resident, wherein the non-resident software application allows the non-resident to participate in interactive sessions hosted by the resident communications system.
15. The computer-readable storage device of claim 14 , wherein the non-resident software application is configured to detect whether the non-resident is currently using the personal device.
16. The computer-readable storage device of claim 13 , wherein the approval is determined based on whether the resident is allowed to participate in visitation sessions with the non-resident.
17. The computer-readable storage device of claim 13 , wherein determining the availability of the non-resident for the session comprising determining whether a monitoring system has capacity for monitoring the session between the resident and the non-resident.
18. The computer-readable storage device of claim 13 , wherein the first delay interval is prior to the expiration of the first time duration of the resident's authorized exclusive use of the resident device.
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March 9, 2021
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